Provident Hospital collection

In 1894, a group of nine Black physicians, including Dr. William T. Carr, Jr. (1868-1931), Dr. J. Marcus Cargill (circa 1847-1915), and Dr. William H. Thompson (b. 1851), opened Provident Hospital and Free Dispensary in Baltimore, Maryland. The opening of Provident Hospital coincided with the Plessy vs. Ferguson (1896) ruling that upheld the practice of separate but equal, legally protecting segregation and leaving innumerable people of color without adequate access to medical care. Although segregated health facilities for communities of color existed in limited numbers prior to Provident’s foundation, these hospitals were controlled by white leadership that did not allow Black medical staff to practice.

Driven by concern for Baltimore’s Black population, as well as the desire to form an institution for the education and advancement of Black physicians and medical professionals, Provident Hospital was among the first Black-owned and operated medical institutions to open in the United States. Provident Hospital’s first location at 419 Orchard Street opened with 10 beds. In 1902 the hospital relocated to 413 West Biddle Street, enabling the addition of 20 beds. In 1928 the hospital relocated again, this time to 1514 Division Street, which had previously housed Union Memorial Hospital.

Around 1960 it was determined that Provident Hospital required a new building. Funds were collected over the following decade from government and community sources. Administrative changes during this period included approval for several residency programs by the American Medical Association, such as the accreditation of Provident Hospital’s nursing program. On June 13th, 1971, the new Provident Hospital building at 2600 Liberty Heights Avenue was officially dedicated after two and a half years of construction. In 1985 Provident Hospital filed for reorganization, which was ultimately followed by the merger of Provident with Lutheran Hospital of Maryland to become Liberty Medical Center, Inc. in 1986.

Over the course of Provident Hospital’s 102 year history, the institution remained committed to providing accessible healthcare to Baltimore’s Black population. As Provident expanded during the 20th century the health system evolved to serve the larger West Baltimore population, regardless of race or economic means.